Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'parenthesis'

English Word: parenthesis

Key Russian Translations:

• скобки [ˈskobkʲɪ] - [Formal, Plural; Used in mathematical, grammatical, or textual contexts]
• круглые скобки [ˈkruɡlɨje ˈskobkʲɪ] - [Informal; Specifically for round parentheses, often in everyday or technical descriptions]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, technical, and written Russian, but less frequent in casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level can grasp basic usage, but understanding inflections and contexts requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

скобки: [ˈskobkʲɪ]

круглые скобки: [ˈkruɡlɨje ˈskobkʲɪ]

Note on скобки: The stress is on the first syllable, and the palatalized 'kʲ' sound can be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio for accurate soft consonant pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A pair of marks ( ) used to enclose words or figures.

Translation(s) & Context:

• скобки - Used in formal writing, mathematics, or grammar to denote additional information or grouping; common in technical contexts.
• круглые скобки - Informal equivalent, often in everyday explanations or when specifying the exact type of parenthesis.

Usage Examples:

• В математике скобки используются для изменения порядка операций. (In mathematics, parentheses are used to change the order of operations.)

  English Translation: In mathematics, parentheses are used to change the order of operations.

• В предложении круглые скобки добавляют пояснения (как это). (In a sentence, round parentheses add explanations, like this.)

  English Translation: In a sentence, round parentheses add explanations, like this.

• Без скобок формула может быть неверно интерпретирована. (Without parentheses, the formula might be interpreted incorrectly.)

  English Translation: Without parentheses, the formula might be interpreted incorrectly.

• В русском языке скобки часто применяются в цитатах для вставок. (In the Russian language, parentheses are often used in quotes for insertions.)

  English Translation: In the Russian language, parentheses are often used in quotes for insertions.

• Используйте круглые скобки для уточнений в неформальном тексте. (Use round parentheses for clarifications in informal text.)

  English Translation: Use round parentheses for clarifications in informal text.

Secondary Meaning: An explanatory or qualifying remark added to a text.

Translation(s) & Context:

• скобки - In literary or editorial contexts, to insert non-essential information without disrupting the flow.

Usage Examples:

• Автор добавил скобки, чтобы уточнить исторический контекст (XIX век). (The author added parentheses to clarify the historical context, 19th century.)

  English Translation: The author added parentheses to clarify the historical context, 19th century.

• В эссе скобки помогают вставить примеры без нарушения структуры. (In the essay, parentheses help insert examples without disrupting the structure.)

  English Translation: In the essay, parentheses help insert examples without disrupting the structure.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Скобки" is a feminine plural noun in Russian, which follows standard first-declension patterns for plural nouns. It is relatively regular but changes based on case and number. Below is a declension table for "скобки":

For "круглые скобки", it functions as a phrase where "круглые" (adjective) agrees with "скобки" and inflects accordingly. The adjective "круглые" changes based on case, e.g., Genitive: круглых скобок.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • скобочки (a diminutive form, used for affection or informality)
  • кронштейны (in some technical contexts, though less common)
• Antonyms:
  • Нет прямых антонимов (No direct antonyms, as this is a structural element)

Note: "Скобочки" implies a smaller or endearing version, often used in educational settings.

Related Phrases:

• В скобках (In parentheses) - Used to indicate something enclosed for additional detail.
• Открывающие скобки (Opening parentheses) - Refers to the starting mark in a pair.
• Закрывающие скобки (Closing parentheses) - Refers to the ending mark in a pair; common in programming or math.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "скобки" directly corresponds to the English "parentheses" in most contexts, but remember that Russian uses the plural form almost exclusively. Choose "круглые скобки" for specificity in informal or descriptive writing. Be cautious with word order in phrases; for example, adjectives like "круглые" must agree in case, number, and gender with the noun. This vocabulary is neutral in terms of formality but is more prevalent in written rather than spoken Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the singular form "скобка" incorrectly, as English speakers might think of it as a single unit. Correct: Russian almost always uses the plural "скобки" for pairs. Example of error: *Я использовал скобка* (incorrect). Correct: Я использовал скобки. Explanation: Russian nouns like this are inherently plural in usage.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences, e.g., in the genitive case. Correct: В скобках (in parentheses), not *В скобки*. Explanation: Proper declension ensures grammatical accuracy in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature and education, parentheses are often used similarly to English for asides or clarifications, but they hold a strong presence in formal texts like scientific papers or classic novels by authors like Tolstoy, where they add nuanced explanations without breaking the narrative flow. This reflects Russia's emphasis on precise and structured communication in intellectual pursuits.

Related Concepts:

• тире (dash)
• кавычки (quotation marks)
• запятая (comma)